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Abstract
Endurance athletes face a complex array of physiological changes as their skin temperature rises during vigorous exercise. Since endurance athletes do not typically have fiscally feasible and straightforward real-time physiological monitoring (outside of complex Bluetooth and wireless connectivity linking their heart rate, pulse oximetry, etc. to electronic databases), exercise reaching high levels of physical exhaustion is of great concern. To aid in easy and visual determination of physical exhaustion, thermochromic pigments were applied to Nylon/spandex fabric, using pigment activation temperature as an indication for exhaustion. Thermochromic pigments were chosen because these microcapsules contain leuco dyes capable of changing chemical structure to alter the dye molecule absorbance, leading to a visual tool for skin temperature indication. Each pigment was chosen to activate at a targeted physiological skin temperature range between 33 and 38̊C. Nylon/spandex was chosen for high wearer comfort and excellent garment/skin contact. This technology was coupled with conventional textiles to create smart apparel with satisfactory abrasion and color fastness capabilities. Using targeted placement of thermochromic panels in garment construction, a garment capable of serving as a “warning light” for physical exhaustion in athletes was created.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to acknowledge the generous support of the Cornell University Human Ecology Alumni Association (HEAA) for which their grant made this work possible. We would also like to acknowledge Drs. Margaret Frey and Jintu Fan, for their valuable support and guidance. We would like to thank Huntsman International for their generous gift of reagents.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Alicia Potuck
Alicia Potuck received her PhD in Chemistry in January 2015 from Cornell University and a BS in Chemistry from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Potuck’s research has focused on polymer synthesis, characterization, and fabrication of polymers into drug delivery devices for improved wound healing.
Sarah Meyers
Sarah Meyers received her BS in Fiber Science with Honors from Cornell University in spring 2016. In addition to studying textiles, Meyers’ interests include learning about materials for biomedical applications.
Ariana Levitt
Ariana Levitt is a PhD student in the Materials Science and Engineering Department at Drexel University. Levitt’s research focuses on integrating conductive and piezoelectric nanofibers into textiles for wearable sensing technology. [email protected]
Eric Beaudette
Eric Beaudette is a student in the Fiber Science and Apparel Design department at Cornell University. During his undergraduate career, Beaudette has focused on wearable technology and electronics.
Hong Xiao
Hong Xiao, PhD, senior engineer, China Textile Engineering Society. Xiao’s current research aims at personal protecting equipment and clothing, especially multi-spectra textiles which have a camouflage effect in visible light/near infrared/radar and thermal infrared, and multi-functional textiles such as flame-retarding and anti-bacterial textiles as well as smart textiles, especially in controllable fabrics which can change color.
C. C. Chu
Prof. C. C. Chu is the endowed Rebecca Q. Morgan 60 chair professor at Cornell University, having received his PhD from Florida State University. Chu is the recipient of the State University of New York Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities and was inducted into the College of Fellow of the American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering.
Huiju Park
Dr. Huiju Park is an assistant professor in the Department of Fiber Science and Apparel Design at Cornell University, having received his PhD from Oklahoma State University. Park’s creative design and research focuses on human-centered design solutions for improved health and well-being.